SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council's general rates and charges have fared well in a comparison of 13 local governments in Queensland.

CEO David Keenan said the council had reviewed the 2014/15 rates and charges under the Queensland Government's Comparative Information Return.

"In terms of the 2014/15 rates and charges comparison, Southern Downs' average general net rate payable per annum is ranked seventh, which is bang in the middle of the 13 category three councils.

"However, if you consider the complete package of rates and charges, Southern Downs is one of better performing councils, with the third-lowest average net rates and charges and the third-lowest sewerage charge compared with the other category three councils."

Other local governments involved in the comparison included the South Burnett, Lockyer Valley, Tablelands, Western Downs and Scenic Rim councils.

Mr Keenan said ratepayers concerned about the escalating cost of rates and charges often compared Southern Downs with councils such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

He said these comparisons were an "apples versus oranges" scenario, because there were significant differences across factors including population, geographical area, and services provided.

"That's why it's important to compare councils that have been included in the same category," he said.

"Councils are included in a particular category having regard to the size, geographical and environmental terrain of each local government area; the population, including the area's demographics, the spread of population serviced by the local government and the extent of the services the local government provides."

Mr Keenan said that while the council understood the community concerns about rates levels, the council faced the same pressures.

"The freezing of the Federal Assistance Grants and the reduction in state government grants and subsidies that relate to operational activities means that council needs to continually identify revenue streams to support staff and the delivery of high standards of service to both the urban and rural communities. This has meant that council has had to re-evaluate the true cost of delivering these high quality services."